Demand for alternative meds increasing

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the slowdown on consumer spending due to the current global economic crisis, demand and market for alternative medicine is still on the rise.

The 5th Cebu Health, Beauty and Lifestyle Expo recently opened to the public showcasing around 50 exhibitors from Manila and Cebu coming from the wellness sector where various health and wellness products were showcased along with services in line with beauty and nutrition.

CBM Events project manager Celia B. Maliwat said that their exhibitors grew 10 percent this year compared to last year, which shows that the health and wellness industry continues to be upbeat amidst global crisis.

"The industry is still doing well and remains to be thriving despite the slowdown due to the crisis because our clients continue to patronize our events,” said Maliwat.

She said that Cebu as a venue also continues to be one of the top because of its huge and untapped market.

"There is still a big market in Cebu. Manila is already very saturated for exhibitions on health and wellness so we do it here. We also wanted to explore and bring alternative products in other growth markets outside Luzon," she added.

In a separate interview, Tianshi Philippines Inc. Cebu branch manager Remi Ramirez Braw said that the demand and the market for their products continue to grow despite the negative impacts of the global recession.

"The market for food supplements continues to grow despite the fact that the market is struggling with limited budget now a days. During this crisis, the need for alternative medicine is still very great," said Braw.

Even Filipino Entrepreneurs and Resources Network, Inc. Fern-C franchisee Rey Rabor said that the market for their products still proves to be expanding.

He said that at these times of crisis, consumers are even all the more conscious of their health because it is more expensive to get sick.

"People would rather opt to be healthy than to get sick and go to hospitals so the demand for alternative supplements is still very high," he said.

He said that coming from a banking institution which pays handsomely well, being in the health and wellness industry actually has more room for financial growth and success especially for micro entrepreneurs.

He said that at these times of economic meltdown, there is all the more reason for people to look for ways to earn more.

"Our vision is to bring prosperity to every home by tapping the entrepreneur in every Filipino. So aside from selling our products, we are also inviting people to be like us so they can make money," said Rabor.

He said that the continued growth of their distributors’ network show that the crises is not hindering the growth of the industry.

The Cebu Health, Beauty and Wellness Expo at the SM Trade Hall opened last February 27 and will run until March 1; aside from the exhibit the expo have product demos, health and wellness seminars and consultations which is open and free for everyone.—Rhia de Pablo